INSPIRATIONAL ENGINEERS AND YOUNG ENGINEERS MEET TO CONSIDER STATE OF PROFESSION AT PARLIAMENTARY WEB-FORUM LAUNCH

Some of the country’s top engineers will be at Lambeth Academy to support the launch a web-forum seeking the views of young people as to why so few take up a career in engineering.

The Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Select Committee is launching the forum as part of a Parliamentary inquiry into the state of engineering in the UK.

Lambeth Academy is running the new engineering diploma and the Committee wanted to launch its web forum by bringing together would-be engineers with inspirational engineers at the top of their profession.

Among those speaking at the event will be:

John Armitt, Chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority.

Richard Noble, Leader of the Bloodhound land speed record team.

Dr Maggie Aderin from space engineering firm Astrium, who will be bringing along their Mars Rover.

Joe Milnes from the UK Atomic Energy Authority, Culham

In the course of its in-depth inquiry into engineering, announced in January 2008, the Committee has heard from a wide range of individuals and organisations but it is keen to hear directly from those who are studying engineering, are considering doing so, or who are working in engineering. The web-forum offers participants the opportunity to express their opinions on the image of engineering and whether careers in engineering are attractive. Why do so many young engineers embark on a career outside engineering, what could be done to change this?

Views posted online will inform the recommendations the Committee makes to the Government in its final report. It is therefore a valuable opportunity to contribute to the formulation of policy affecting the future of UK engineering.

Chairman of the Committee, Mr Phil Willis, said: “We want to reach out and hear from as many young would be engineers as possible so we thought it would be great to let them hear from some of our most inspirational engineers.”

“This is a chance to influence our recommendations on how Government policy might best serve the engineering sector and we hope that as many prospective engineers and young engineers as possible will participate.”

Journalists and photographers are invited to attend the launch which will be held at Lambeth Academy, London at 10 am on Thursday 6 November 2008. If you would like to attend please contact Select Committee Media Officer Laura Kibby tel: 0207 219 0718 e-mail:
kibbyl@parliament.uk